Overkill external skimmer...will this work?

[lclark209]

So, I have an external skimmer that I'd like to set up on my 93g cube. This sucker is huge and I'm not even going to be able to run it under the stand (new stand down the road to accommodate it). Anyway, I have some questions...

First, I'm not even sure what model it is. Could anyone figure that out just from these pics? I know it's a Reef Octopus and rated for about 200g.

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/lisaincali/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-01/20150110_160745_zps0k5tuga6.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/lisaincali/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-01/20150110_160745_zps0k5tuga6.jpg.html)

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/lisaincali/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-01/20150110_160806_zps6dhhqrhp.jpg (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/lisaincali/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2015-01/20150110_160806_zps6dhhqrhp.jpg.html)

Second, I'd like to gravity feed from the durso overflow. Will something like this work?

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a143/lisaincali/ExtSkimDia_zpsc6b07319.gif (http://s10.photobucket.com/user/lisaincali/media/ExtSkimDia_zpsc6b07319.gif.html)

And lastly, what happens if (when) power goes out? How do I prevent an overflow?

Appreciate the help and thanks in advance!

[dnh828]

For the power going out, simply be sure the drain from your skimmer is higher than the top of the sump and it will gravity drain in the event of a power outtage (and that the drain runs faster than the intake of course).

Feeding it directly off the output can cause a lot of problems I've heard, especially with wavemakers. You can get pulses of higher flow down the drain and that can make the levels in the skimmer jump. Most of the recirculating skimmers I've seen use a feed pump instead of a direct overflow feed. BUT, if you have a very consistent pump speed (i.e. no big waves, sump level constant) then it could certainly work. If you can get a system like this to work it is generally regarded as very good since you are getting the dirty surface water from the tank directly in to the skimmer.

[lclark209]

Ok, I get it. That's reassuring that I won't flood the living room.

My sump level is constant so far as i can tell. Looking at the diagram that I came up with, I'd be concerned the skimmer wouldn't get enough flow. Would the water just drop straight down, and mostly pass by the T to the skimmer? Hmm...

Maybe a Y instead of a T?